The Monroe Street Journal

Issue date: 1/22/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Kent Westlund [Click to enlarge]

As part of the University of Michigan's 22nd annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy, the Ross School of Business hosted former NFL star Tiki Barber to discuss the importance of character both on and off the playing field. Prior to his talk, entitled "Character Isn't an Audible: Growth with Integrity," Barber graciously granted the Monroe Street Journal an interview.

After 10 years as a star running back for the New York Giants, Barber retired from the game after the 2006 season. He walked away with countless team rushing records and statistics that put him in the company of the game's best. Barber's decision to leave the game while still in his prime was questioned by many, but he maintains that it was the right decision. "I always look for things that challenge me," he said. "Last year, I realized I was a good player and in realizing that, I didn't want to become lazy or lose my edge, so it came time to seek out a new path."

Barber cannot be considered a typical retiree. He is busy with a wide array of ventures in media and business. Barber maintains a connection to football as an analyst for "Football Night in America," but also reaches beyond the field to cover stories for The Today Show. When he first began working in broadcast, he thought that he would like to conduct interviews with famous, powerful figures, such as Condoleezza Rice. Now though, he finds himself drawn to the stories of "real people" that persevere and defy the odds. "I did a story about a group of refugee kids in Atlanta and their soccer coach, a woman that became a motherly figure for them," he said. "The bigotry that these kids had to face was disheartening, but the efforts of their coach and their determination to overcome was inspiring to me and to many that watched the story."

Tiki Barber is branching out into real estate. He has partnered with Stephen M. Ross's Related Companies to refurbish communities and build affordable housing in communities throughout the mid-Atlantic. "I met Stephen Ross a few days after retiring from the NFL and he explained to me how construction of affordable housing could benefit communities," Barber said. "In pursuing this idea, I feel like I get to continue doing what I've always done by giving back and helping to uplift a community."

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